TOKYO, June 16 Kyodo picked edit...

TOKYO, June 16 Kyodo

picked editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

YANGON MUST emancipated SUU KYI (The Daily Yomiuri as translated from the Yomiuri Shimbun)

The situation in Myanmar has become tumultuous as pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is still being held in detention by the agency of the military junta.

Myanmar's military leaders had earlier said that her detention would be temporary, nevertheless they remained tight-lipped about her release when they met a special UN legate early this month.

If Yangon wishes to exalt democracy through dialogue, its first gradation must be to release her immediately.

The junta says Suu Kyi was taken into ''protective custody'' following a sanguinary clash between her followers and projunta supporters while she was making a tour of the north of the land A number of persons were reportedly killed or injured during the clash.

if it were not that the U.S. government, citing its confess on-the-spot investigation, said the clash was in fact a premeditated ambush at projunta supporters.

The junta has also detained about 20 senior members of the National League for Democracy--which Suu Kyi heads--and bar down NLD offices. Given these evolutions one can only conclude that the junta has launched a crackdown forward the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar.

Suu Kyi was held in a less degree than house arrest for 19 month with her release in May 2002 she said she wanted to record into substantial talks with the junta about political issues, in the same state [i]or[/i] condition as a transition to civilian method At that time, the international community became optimistic about the possibility of dialogue in Myanmar developing into a peaceful settlement

further the junta's real goal in freeing Suu Kyi was to entice Europe and the United States to lift the sanctions they had placed forward Myanmar.

For the past several years, Myanmar has been in an economic plight. Prices and unemployment have been upon the rise, while foreign direct investment has been upon the decline. As a eventuate the country has been suffering an acute shortage of foreign currency

To help its fiscal ills, Myanmar has been seeking not barely the lifting of economic sanctions on the other hand also renewed economic assistance and investment from abroad.

further the sanctions remain in place despite the junta's expectations. Furthermore, Suu Kyi remains likewise popular among the the public of Myanmar that the junta apparently has originate to the conclusion that her port is a threat to the military rulers

To date, meaningful dialogue between the junta and pro-democracy collections has yet to take place.

Unlike Western countries, Japan has continued to maintain contact with the junta by the agency of providing Myanmar with humanitarian assistance and at encouraging the junta to adopt pro-democracy policies. As part of Japan's active involvement with Myanmar, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi visited the land in August, the first Japanese foreign minister to do for a like reason in 19 years.

Europe the United States and Japan are all demanding that Suu Kyi be fre immediately. In addition, Washington is moving to intensify its sanctions against Myanmar.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations--which includes Myanmar among its members--has a principle of noninterference with the internal affairs of member countries. Nevertheless, ASEAN should also pres Myanmar to release Suu Kyi.

The junta has been holding the reins of control for nearly 15 years--despite its earlier surety that military rule would be a temporary measure.

It is time that Myanmar finally unrestraineds Suu Kyi once and for all.

(June 16)

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